Ricky D, Gino boutique steel tube amp?
Posted: 25 Mar 2003 8:05 pm
Ricky, on another post you indicated your Twin has been modified. Have you done any experimentation with transformers, especially the OT? I've had a few discussions with a local amp tech regarding tube amps for pedal steel. After explaining the bass range demanded by a C-6/B-6 neck and my desire for plenty of headroom plus my love for that good old Fender tube sound, he had a couple of suggestions.
First of all, in his experience, LARGE transformers are necessary in a tube amp for bass output, especially when we're talking C-6/B-6 range. I was surprised to learn the output transformers in a blackface Fender Twin-Reverb are decent sized, but nowhere near the "big iron" used in some other Fenders. The transformers used in the "high-powered" tweed Twin of the late 50's are significantly bigger than those in TR's. Bigger still are the ones used in SOME of the blonde/maroon Twin-Amps (no reverb) of the early 60's. I say SOME because not all such Twins used the BIG OT.
NOTE: there is a Blonde Twin Output Transformer for sale on ebay. It is NOT one of the big OT's used in some of those Twins.
How do I know this? I have an original blonde Twin. The OT in it is MUCH bigger than the one for sale on ebay and bigger than the ones used in tweed twins. So why not just use the Twin? It has huge bottom end and LOADS of headroom, but the tone stack is more Hi-Fi than Twin Reverb. I could have the tone stack, etc. modified to Twin Reverb specs, but it's a collector's piece so I won't. Even if I did, it wouldn't be the thing to take out on a gig because of the rarity.
So... if only I had a second OT just like that one, I could put it in any blackface or silverface Twin Reverb, Dual Showman or Dual Showman Reverb and get that Fender sound plus I'd really increase the bass response (wouldn't that be nice through a 2-15 cabinet ) The good part is, I can score a decent Dual Showman Reverb for $300-$450 depending on condition, so it would kind of be a boutique steel amp at a really reasonable price. All I need is a second OT just like the one I've got... BUT... they're scarcer than hen's teeth...
Mercury Magnetics makes loads of replacement vintage transformers, but they don't make a big Twin unit because these things are so rare, they've never seen an example of a BIG Twin-Amp transformer to clone. Hey, I know where they can get one If they only make one, it's gonna be about $300 bucks. If they can make six or seven, the price could be cut substantially. If anybody likes the Twin Reverb sound but wants more bass response, this could be the ticket. I'm thinking if we can get a few orders, I'll provide them specs on my OT so it can be cloned.
Anybody tried this before? Sorry if this has been discussed. If not, you heard it first on THE STEEL GUITAR FORUM!!! Thanks, guys.
First of all, in his experience, LARGE transformers are necessary in a tube amp for bass output, especially when we're talking C-6/B-6 range. I was surprised to learn the output transformers in a blackface Fender Twin-Reverb are decent sized, but nowhere near the "big iron" used in some other Fenders. The transformers used in the "high-powered" tweed Twin of the late 50's are significantly bigger than those in TR's. Bigger still are the ones used in SOME of the blonde/maroon Twin-Amps (no reverb) of the early 60's. I say SOME because not all such Twins used the BIG OT.
NOTE: there is a Blonde Twin Output Transformer for sale on ebay. It is NOT one of the big OT's used in some of those Twins.
How do I know this? I have an original blonde Twin. The OT in it is MUCH bigger than the one for sale on ebay and bigger than the ones used in tweed twins. So why not just use the Twin? It has huge bottom end and LOADS of headroom, but the tone stack is more Hi-Fi than Twin Reverb. I could have the tone stack, etc. modified to Twin Reverb specs, but it's a collector's piece so I won't. Even if I did, it wouldn't be the thing to take out on a gig because of the rarity.
So... if only I had a second OT just like that one, I could put it in any blackface or silverface Twin Reverb, Dual Showman or Dual Showman Reverb and get that Fender sound plus I'd really increase the bass response (wouldn't that be nice through a 2-15 cabinet ) The good part is, I can score a decent Dual Showman Reverb for $300-$450 depending on condition, so it would kind of be a boutique steel amp at a really reasonable price. All I need is a second OT just like the one I've got... BUT... they're scarcer than hen's teeth...
Mercury Magnetics makes loads of replacement vintage transformers, but they don't make a big Twin unit because these things are so rare, they've never seen an example of a BIG Twin-Amp transformer to clone. Hey, I know where they can get one If they only make one, it's gonna be about $300 bucks. If they can make six or seven, the price could be cut substantially. If anybody likes the Twin Reverb sound but wants more bass response, this could be the ticket. I'm thinking if we can get a few orders, I'll provide them specs on my OT so it can be cloned.
Anybody tried this before? Sorry if this has been discussed. If not, you heard it first on THE STEEL GUITAR FORUM!!! Thanks, guys.